Enabling Big Data Solutions

The term Big Data has different meanings for different people. For some people, it is large quantities of disparate data. For others, it is the activity of making effective use of such data. Large quantities of disparate data are the result of advances in (a) data storage facilities, (b) data communications and (c) sensors and other data-generating tools.

The effective use of Big Data requires hardware and software for collecting, communicating, and processing large volumes of data. Demystifying Big Data: A Practical Guide to Transforming the Business of Government notes:

"Although there clearly is an intense focus on Big Data, there remains a great deal of confusion regarding what the term really means, and more importantly, the value it will provide...This confusion may be due in part to the conversation being driven largely by the information technology community versus line of business community.

Successful Big Data initiatives seem to start not with a discussion about technology, but rather with burning business or mission requirements that...leaders are unable to address with traditional approaches."

The white papers listed below address the use of ontology and other resources to facilitate discussions about "burning business or mission requirements" that are not met with existing information technology concepts, methods, and tools.